The Malice Is A Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy Road Trip Not to Be Missed

Well, you know what they say about being careful what you wish for. After twelve quiet years, since the end of the Usurper and the Uncivil, things are starting to stir to the south. The Vagrant hears the call of Gamma’s sword, an powerful enchanted blade, but tries desperately to ignore it, hoping instead to keep his family safe. Visitors from The Shining City repeatedly come to their small homestead hoping to spur him into action.
After intercepting the most recent visitor, Genner, Vesper resolves to help ease her father’s burdens. She wakes in the wee hours and sneaks down to the sword’s hiding place, in the hope that bringing it to those in need will allow them to leave her father in peace. Instead, she finds herself swept up in the current of politics and war when she is perceived as the new sword bearer, and she and the blade are flown to the front lines.
In The Vagrant, Newman’s titular protagonist was relatively silent. Vesper is much more chatty. And really, despite the same strengths on display in the first book, from the shattered post-apocalyptic landscape, to the subtle magic, to the goats (yes, goats), it is Vesper, and her heart, that steal the spotlight. In a world filled with desperation and depravity, she manages to keep pushing forward, holding onto hope. Her exuberant optimism inspires those around her, much like her father’s steadfast dedication to making the right choices for the people did to those following him.
It is Vesper’s shining nature, and the sacrifices of those around her and for her, that drive her to be more and do more. More than once, I found myself smiling at her perseverance and the resolute belief in herself. Newman is an expert at crafting the kind of characters you can’t help but root for as they resolutely win their way through the world, and Vesper may be his most singular creation.

Though this is a sequel, the worldbuilding continues apace, deepening our understanding for how this world came to be, and how the Breach changed everything. The social dynamics are more layered and we can understand how Vesper’s beliefs serve as a potential catalyst for sweeping change. It is a perfectly-paced novel, matched to the strides of our young protagonist as she embarks on a mission of life or death.
And then there are the goats. I was delighted at their return. A goat-farmer of sorts myself, I can also attest to their authentic portrayal. And really, who wouldn’t want to have a goat sidekick along on life-changing great adventure?
The Malice is indeed another great adventure tale, a second volume that satisfies even as it sets the stage for the grand finale. I can’t wait to see where he takes us next
The Malice is available now.